Pharmacy - Articles

Specialised commissioning continues to be an issue of significance and uncertainty for both the NHS and industry. What do the latest reports of regional push back on the plans for devolution to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) mean? Learn more about our upcoming webinar here.
For the past 2 years, Pharma, Medtech, and Diagnostic companies have identified the delegation of specialised commissioning to the new Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) as a key risk to their UK market access strategies. With its importance to income and the high risk of change devolution seems to promise, specialised commissioning is an obvious issue for providers of these products to place at the top of their risk logs. The devolution plans are also a risk for the NHS. Not least, because around two-thirds of the income of a…

In this article, we will explore various types of microneedle patch technologies, including phase-transition microneedle patches, hydrogel microneedle patches, solid microneedles, hollow microneedles, coated microneedles, and dissolving microneedles. Each of these technologies presents unique characteristics and benefits in drug delivery applications.
Microneedle patch technologies have revolutionized the field of drug delivery, offering a wide range of advantages over traditional methods. These innovative patches provide a minimally invasive and painless alternative to injections while ensuring precise and controlled drug administration. In this article, we will explore various types of microneedle patch technologies, including phase-transition microneedle patches, hydrogel microneedl…

As with antibody detection, the most commonly used antigen detection methods are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA).
Antigen Detection Raw Materials An antigen is a molecule (such as protein) that causes the immune system to produce antibodies and trigger an immune response. In the case of COVID-19, structural proteins were found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether a person is infected with virus by detecting the presence of these proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At present, the authorized antigen detection is mainly to detect the spike or nucleocapsid protein antigen of SARS-CoV-2 virus from nasal swabs or similar clinical specimens to quickly diagnose active infection. Antigen detection is usually l…

The membrane emulsification technology is capable of producing homogeneous microspheres and can be used to obtain microspheres of different sizes by selecting membranes with different pore sizes, corresponding to equipment ranging from micro-samples to large-scale production.
Membrane emulsification technology can be divided into direct membrane emulsification and fast membrane emulsification. Both membrane emulsification methods have their own advantages in the preparation of homogeneous emulsions with different particle size control ranges. Direct Membrane Emulsification Technology Direct membrane emulsification prepares microspheres by slowly passing through the membrane orifice by gas pressure of the dispersed phase in the storage tank. During the process, the droplets are subjec…

The success of transdermal drug delivery systems heavily relies on the selection of appropriate excipients. Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene, PVA, polysiloxanes, PVC, dimethyl sulfoxide, oleic acid, and lauric acid are among the key excipients that aid in drug absorption, stability, and patient compliance.
Transdermal drug delivery systems have gained considerable importance in the pharmaceutical industry due to their convenience, effectiveness, and ease of use. These systems rely on various excipients, which are inactive substances that aid in the delivery and absorption of active drug compounds through the skin. In this article, we will discuss eight important excipients commonly used in transdermal drug delivery systems, their properties, and their roles in enhancing drug…

Microencapsulation technology has revolutionized drug delivery systems, allowing for the protection and controlled release of therapeutic agents.
Microencapsulation technology has revolutionized drug delivery systems, allowing for the protection and controlled release of therapeutic agents. Microcapsules, tiny spherical structures capable of encapsulating drugs, offer numerous advantages in terms of stability, targeted delivery, and improved patient outcomes. In this article, we will delve into the methods involved in preparing drug microcapsules, methods for evaluating their performance, and the advantages they bring to the field of pharmaceuticals. Methods for Preparing Microencapsulation The microencapsulation process involves several key steps. Firstly, a suitable polymer matr…

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various types of abortion and provide essential information on ensuring a safe abortion procedure.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various types of abortion and provide essential information on ensuring a safe abortion procedure. Understanding the Types of Abortion: Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage): A spontaneous abortion, commonly known as a miscarriage, occurs naturally when a pregnancy ends before the 20th week. It can happen due to genetic abnormalities, maternal health issues, or other unknown factors. Miscarriages are emotionally challenging but typically not preventable. Induced Abortion: An induced abortion is intentionally performed to terminate a pregnancy. There are two primary methods for induced abortions: …

Interleukin-1 family is a family of cytokine proteins, which includes IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18 and a series of related molecules. Members of the IL-1 family play an important role in immune regulation and inflammatory responses. By binding to specific receptors, they trigger intracellular signaling, triggering inflammation, activation of immune cells, and modulation of biological effects
IL-1α and IL-1β: Key Players in Inflammation and Disease Pathogenesis IL-1α and IL-1β represent the prototypical and crucial members of the IL-1 family, which are synthesized by various cells, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and others. These interleukins assume a significant regulatory function in the inflammatory response, stimulating immune cells to generate additional inflammatory mediat…

Programmed death protein 1 (PD1) is a common immunosuppressive member on the surface of T cells and plays an imperative part in downregulating the immune system and advancing self-tolerance. Its ligand programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) is overexpressed on the surface of malignant tumor cells, where it binds to PD1, inhibits the proliferation of PD1-positive cells, and participates in the immune evasion of tumors leading to treatment failure. The PD1/PDL1-based pathway is of great value in immunotherapy of cancer and has become an important immune checkpoint in recent years.
The Structure and Function of PD-1 PD-1 is a type I membrane protein composed of 288 amino acids. As a member of the CD28/CTLA-4 family of T cell regulators, PD-1 plays a crucial role in modulating T cell responses…

During the research and development process of pharmaceutical preparations, comprehensive and reliable interaction studies are essential.
Pharmaceutical formulations consist of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. Appropriate excipient selection is critical to the final quality of pharmaceutical products. When designing pharmaceutical preparations, the choice of excipients should not only consider the dosage form factors and excipient functions but also the interaction and compatibility between APIs and excipients. Therefore, during the research and development process of pharmaceutical preparations, comprehensive and reliable interaction studies are essential. These studies not only serve as a foundat…

A tumor suppressor gene, also known as anti-onco gene, is an essential component of the body's defense against cancer. It usually facilitates apoptosis. With its absence, the human body will be functioning without its “brake” of cell proliferation. Cells are potent to go under abnormal growth processes and finally lead to tumor/cancer.
About Tumor Suppressor Genes A tumor suppressor gene, also known as anti-onco gene, is an essential component of the body's defense against cancer. It usually facilitates apoptosis. With its absence, the human body will be functioning without its “brake” of cell proliferation. Cells are potent to go under abnormal growth processes and finally lead to tumor/cancer. Here are some key features and functions of tumor suppressor genes: Inhibition of Cell Growth:…

Microsphere technology is at the intersection of cutting-edge disciplines such as materials science, polymer technology, medical technology, and microelectronics.
Microspheres are small spherical entities formed by dispersing or adsorbing drugs in a polymer matrix. The particle size is typically between 1 μm and 250 μm, and the largest can reach more than 800 μm. Microsphere technology is at the intersection of cutting-edge disciplines such as materials science, polymer technology, medical technology, and microelectronics. Once injected into the body, microspheres are gradually degraded in the body, allowing the drug to be released slowly at a certain rate, maintaining the drug concentration in the blood at the site of the lesion, thereby prolonging the half-life of the drug and achieving l…

Vaccine excipients can include adjuvants, stabilizers, preservatives, and additives. Each excipient serves a specific purpose in ensuring that vaccines are effective.
Infectious diseases seriously threaten human health, and various infectious diseases may cause millions of severe cases and even death every year. Vaccination has been one of the most effective public health interventions in history, preventing millions of deaths worldwide. However, the success of vaccines relies not only on the antigens they carry but also on additional components known as vaccine excipients. Vaccine excipients play a crucial role in the development and manufacturing of vaccines. These are substances added to the vaccine formulation to enhance its stability, efficacy, and safety. Vaccine excipients can includ…

With the continuous development of high technology, the rapid analysis and detection technology of modern drugs has also been continuously improved.
Pharmaceutical analysis is a form of using all chemical, physical, biological, microbial and other means and methods to study the chemical properties of drugs. During the testing process, the stability of the drug itself, biological components and clinical drug use must be considered. With the continuous development of high technology, the rapid analysis and detection technology of modern drugs has also been continuously improved. Chromatography technology is a rapid detection method, and with continuous development, chromatographic detection technology is expected to have higher performance, higher stability and faster speed, which can ba…

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a 15kDa secretory protein with a 4-alpha-helical bundle structure. As a T-cell related growth factor, IL-2 can enhance the killing activity of NK cells and promote B cells to produce immunoglobulins. In addition, it aids in the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs), thereby producing peripheral T cell immune tolerance, as well as regulating the proliferation and differentiation of activated T cells. This article deliberates these traits and applications of IL-2, as an introductory material in the field of immunotherapy.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a 15kDa secretory protein with a 4-alpha-helical bundle structure. As a T-cell related growth factor, IL-2 can enhance the killing activity of NK cells and promote B cells to produce immunoglobulins. In addition, it aids i…

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a highly biologically active functional glycoprotein. It is a specific and potent mitogen for endothelial cells, playing a role in their proliferation, migration, and lumen formation. VEGF is involved in angiogenesis and increases capillary permeability. It can induce abnormal growth of tumor blood vessels, hinder the effective delivery of anti-tumor drugs to tumor tissues, and stimulate the production of new blood vessel growth factors.
Tumors and Blood Vessel Growth Tumor, as an abnormal mass of cells, has blood vessels of various sizes that can be seen everywhere on the surface and deep within it. Nutrients for life are continuously supplied to the depths of tumor cells through these blood vessels. As the tumor continues to grow, nearby bloo…

Microneedling is currently most widely used in the cosmetic field and has been commercialized for many years.
Microneedles (MN) is a new type of physical permeability-enhancing technology. It consists of multiple micron-scale fine needle tips connected to the base in an array. The needle body is generally 10-2000 microns high and 10-50 microns wide. The length, size and shape of the microneedles can be individually designed according to the needs of the application. When the microneedle delivers the drug, the active ingredient is loaded into the microneedle array, and the concentration gradient between the drug and the subcutaneous tissue fluid forms a driving force, causing the drug to be slowly released into the body. In addition to the advantages of a transdermal delivery system, it also…

Explore the complex role of the IL-36 cytokines, members of the IL-1 superfamily. Learn how these molecular structures influence inflammation signaling pathways, their potential therapeutic benefits for various inflammatory diseases including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease,
IL-36, A Member of IL-1 Superfamily, Emerging Target for Treating Inflammatory Diseases Introduction to IL-36 Family Twenty years ago, Interleukin 36 (IL-36) was discovered as a member of the IL-1 superfamily. Its gene is located on chromosome 2 in an IL gene cluster, including IL1A - IL1B - IL37 - IL36G - IL36A - IL36B - IL36RN - IL38 - IL1RN, with IL-36 encoding genes transcribed far away from the centromere. There are four known subtypes of IL-36, which have been renamed multiple times…

Natural Killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the innate immune surveillance against cancer and viral infections. They are the "first responders" capable of spontaneously recognizing abnormal cells in the body, swiftly eliminating them through targeted cytotoxic mechanisms, and effectively producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to recruit and activate other immune cells to initiate adaptive responses. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of NK cell activation and identifying methods to stimulate their activation are crucial for the development of anti-tumor and antiviral drugs.
Mechanisms of NK Cell Activation NK cells are regulated by a dynamic balance between a series of activating and inhibitory receptors. Normal cells express major histocompatibility complex class…

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a multifunctional cytokine that acts on various cell types, including dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and innate lymphoid cells, affecting their maturation, survival, and recruitment. It is well-known for its role in promoting type 2 immune responses, such as allergic diseases. In 2021, a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP was approved for the treatment of severe asthma.
TSLP and TSLPR TSLP (Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin) is a member of the four-helix bundle cytokine family and is a distant homolog of IL-7. As the name suggests, TSLP was initially identified in the mouse thymic stromal cell line Z210R, as a factor that promotes the proliferation and development of immature B cells. Subsequently, TSLP was found to…